A weekend or so ago, I drove through a scenic Arkansas landscape to celebrate Deadhead Production's 7th annual Highberry with nature and music lovers from across the country. Having heard very little from the lineup, before that, I had little idea of what to expect. I looked at is as an opportunity to visit a mountain I already love, with some live music on the side. There was a lot more to experience though.

I arrived at Mulberry Mountain early on Thursday and managed to setup my tent in a comfortable spot. While doing this, I was offered help from several people, given water, and greeted by my neighbors. The mountain breathed relaxation and kindness, so I knew I was going to have a good time before the fun even began. My only regret is that I didn't bring my own camera with me, as I decided early on to make phone access minimal, something I'd highly recommend.

Strobe lights, along with dim colored lights, helped make it a little easier to maneuver the camp area at nighttime. Hammocks hung high from the trees, creating a confusing sense of security. Out in the venue, food trucks (amazing ones, many from surrounding areas) and shops made the mountain seem truly self-sufficient. Artists were located everywhere there was space, from fire dancers to painters to architects. One couldn't escape the excitement if they tried, without the campsite. A backwoods stage felt more personal than the main stage, which felt like a living creature with its light shows dancing across the clouds.

Weather permitted little exhaustion for the campers and performers, with the small exception a storm destroying my tent at noon on Friday. A nearby river was decorated with people shouting and just having fun. The Zen Den was designed so that it felt undeniably sacred. It was there where meditation, combined with silence away from the acts, started and ended my weekend.

Let's talk about the music though. Buckethead caused a scene with his performance, so much so that Friday was pretty much a Buckethead celebration around the campsite. Admittedly, I barely made it to the Backwoods stage, but Groovement cemented themselves into my Spotify library with their energy. Friday, the field of tents grew much larger and the happiness continued into the night, where Papadosio and Wookiefoot blew me away with their talent. After dancing myself into a puddle of sweat from Papadosio, I sat in a light dome and watched amazing fire dancers. The Papadosio and Wookiefoot performances were probably my favorite, but the skills seen in That 1 Guy, Yonder Mountain String Band, Dopapod, TAUK, and Jon Wayne & The Pain are very memorable, even nearly two weeks later.

My favorite thing about the festival is how approachable everyone was. Beyond the festival goers, I briefly met with Kaminanda at a food truck, the day after his performance. I saw several of the workers in their downtime, who were all very inviting, as they were having a blast themselves. On the way to the showers, which were a god-send, I even got to say hello to one of the producers of the festival, although their name slips me. Keller Williams, of course, could be seen among the campers. I can't stress the compassionate vibes of this festival enough.

I will definitely be attending Highberry next year, and I believe everyone should join me. It's an experience unlike any other, and I'm excited to see what Hillberry, Deadhead's Harvest Moon Festival, has to offer me.